Method and device to enable and assist the elderly and females to exercise their back muscles and biceps

ABSTRACT

This rowing exercise machine is comprised of an inclined seat with a weight resistance mechanism attached to handles for providing adjustable resistance to hand and arm movement. At least one hand rail is positioned to aid entry to and exit from the machine and to stabilize the user while exercising. 
     A method for using the rowing exercise machine is to lie on the inclined seat, hold onto the weight resistance handles and pull down the said handles towards the direction of the user&#39;s body. The handles are then controllably returned to their starting position and the exercise is repeated as desired.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of exercise resistance machines for improvement of general health, especially strengthening back muscles and biceps providing the physiotherapeutic effects to strengthen, build and rebuild muscles and bone mass and prevents muscle and bone mass deterioration. This patent relates to and caters for the special needs of the elderly, females and those convalescing from injury or surgery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of machines for exercising the body is well known in the art. For many decades it has been considered beneficial for a person's health to exercise regularly. The benefits are many and probably some that we are not yet aware. A few of the better known benefits are to the functioning of the heart, the blood vessels, the blood cells, the muscles, the bone structure, the functioning of the brain, the levels of cholesterol and blood sugars, and the general feeling of well-being. There was a time when it was felt to be not so beneficial for the elderly to exercise but now it is considered also very beneficial. Obviously, the degree of stress on the body and length of time of such exercise varies from person to person depending on age, general health and any specific disabilities endured.

One of the factors that make it difficult for the elderly is their lack of agility. They often have pain when moving their various limbs. This discourages them from starting to exercise even though when they have exercised, usually they feel better than beforehand. If they avoid exercising then they do not enjoy the many side benefits of exercising and a vicious cycle is sometimes created whereby their health deteriorates generally. Most prior art exercise machines do not take into account the special needs of the elderly and therefore help to create this barrier. The machines are often cumbersome, sometimes complicated to operate, without easily understandable instructions, without handles to aid entering and exiting and without taking into account the sometimes frail and painful limbs of the elderly. They are basically designed for the young and middle aged.

The elderly either currently suffer from ailments that are best assisted by controlled exercise or are likely to suffer from such ailments if they do not exercise, for example, heart disease, weight control, walking stability, osteoporosis, lower back pains.

Daily activities, that a younger person performs automatically without realizing how many muscles and joints are involved, can be a major cause of pain and other discomforts throughout the day for the elderly and disabled. Examples of such daily activities are bending to tie shoes, getting in and out of the car or bath, walking up stairs or a hill, pushing a shopping cart, carrying groceries and simply stretching to reach items. These are but a few of the hundreds of activities that an elderly person has to do daily and without regular exercising and muscle strengthening these everyday activities become more difficult as the person ages.

Women are more prone than men to a bone disease called osteoporosis, usually from the age of menopause and older. One of the major recommended preventative measures for osteoporosis is regular exercising of the weight bearing kind in order to increase the bone mass. Furthermore, females more than males, require special features in exercise machines to cater for their more delicate body structures. Therefore, it would be preferable for the elderly, those convalescing and females, to use exercise machines that are purpose built and user friendly for their specific needs.

The apparatus of this invention is specifically and professionally designed for the special needs of this group of users. The innovation of this invention includes and/or takes into account amongst others, the following factors:

-   -   the user's general lack of agility and possibility of various         pains when moving into position to start exercising, during the         exercising and when exiting,     -   to give as much as possible clutter free access and a minimum of         overhead apparatus to ease entry/exit and to avoid accidental         injury to the user or a helper of the user,     -   to avoid the chest pad often used in prior art.     -   adjustable range of motion,     -   the need for a comfortable seat and/or back-rest to give the         user a feeling of comfort and stability,     -   the need for smaller gradations of weights so that resistance         and muscle stress can be more gradually increased,     -   the proper placing of handles and bars to aid entering and         leaving the machines and stabilizing handles to optionally hold         while exercising,     -   notices and instructions written in clear language and large         print,         and many other features for the benefit of the infirm as are         herein described in greater detail.

Prior art has addressed some aspects of the needs of older people. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,302 issued to Miller reveals a moveable exercise machine that can be brought to a chair ridden person to exercise. The novelty is more in the portability features than the use of the machine itself. US Patent Application No. 20040220019 issued to Maser reveal a special feature for older people namely that in a pedal machine both pedals can start at their lowest level instead of one up and one down. The Japanese Patent No. 2004016577 issued to Shigeo et al. reveals an exercise machine where the user can exercise in a recumbent position but the range of movements of the arms and legs is limited with no possibility of increasing or decreasing the stress to the arms or legs. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,419 issued to Rota showing how beneficial the rebounding type of exercise is for all aged users especially the elderly.

Prior art rowing machines often have a chest pad for the user to lean his chest against as he exercises the rowing movements. The resultant pressure on the chest could be damaging to the elderly. Another style of prior art rowing machine requires the user to row as if in a boat. This kind of machine does not offer support to the user's back.

This invention solves these problems of pressure on the chest and support of the back while offering the user exercise of the same muscles as prior art rowing machines. The uniqueness of this invention is the combination of all its various features into one device as are herein described. After years of research the innovators of this invention have found solutions to the above mentioned problems generally and to the specific problems and needs of the elderly and infirm. The result is incorporated in the apparatus of this invention as hereinafter described. The result is a user friendly machine that the infirm will want to use because it answers their special needs. It will help them overcome that so important initial step of starting to exercise.

The commercial potential for such machines is great. Firstly the purchaser could be an end user of the exercise machine of this invention or an exercise club that also wishes to cater for the elderly, infirm or those recuperating from injury. Such exercise clubs will be able to attract more members and from a wider range of population. Exercise clubs for women only, will be able to offer machines user friendly for females. Old-age homes are likely purchasers of these machines, to improve the overall health of their members, to usefully occupy their time and to attract new members by showing quality facilities. Hotels often have exercise rooms and will want to provide quality facilities for their elderly customers. Hospitals or homes for rehabilitation after medical operations or accidents are another likely customer for such machines. Most of the features designed for older people will also assist people recouping from illness or operations. They will recover faster, reduce the number of visits to the physiotherapist and be happy that they are helping themselves to become independent and return to their normal routine.

The manufacturers of this invention will be catering for a market that is expanding rapidly both by the greater percentage of people living to older ages and the increasing awareness amongst all sectors of the population that regular exercising is a key to improved health. Health funds have already recognized how many millions of dollars they save each year when their members maintain a better standard of health. As a result these health funds often subsidize for their members, the membership fees of exercise clubs. All these factors will contribute to the commercial success of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview, or framework, for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine to exercise and thereby strengthen the back muscles and biceps as well as maintain bone mass of the elderly, infirm and females. This muscle strengthening and bone mass maintenance will in increase back and shoulder strength and also improve posture and stability.

Another object of the invention is to have a comfortable angled seat that reduces pressure on the spine, neck and lower back.

Another object of the invention is for the person exercising to sit on an inclined upholstered seat where the incline is approximately 45° from the ground level.

Another object of the invention is to strengthen the heart and lungs.

Another object of the invention is to have dynamic multi-height swivel-grip handles that reduce pressure on the wrists while exercising.

Another object of this invention is to enable the user to exercise with only one hand at a time.

Another object of this invention is to enhance a person's ability to balance.

Another object of this invention is to ease the access to and exit from the exercise machine where for example, there is a minimum of overhanging apparatus potentially capable of causing head or other injury and no sharp edges protruding from the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to have at least one static support handle to increase the user's stability while entering or exiting the said exercise machine or to hold onto with one hand when operating the said exercise machine with the other hand.

Another object of the invention is to have an upholstered and adjustable neck support pad.

Another object of this invention is for the said exercise machine to be stably resting on the ground when in use and optionally moveable when so desired.

Another object of the invention is to make instructions for the user simple to understand and written in large print in a color that contrasts with its background. It is also an object to make the said instructions readable while the user is in position on the exercise machine.

Another object of the invention is to have a picture on the body of the apparatus in a clearly visible position and color, illustrating an everyday task. This task the infirm often find difficult to carry out and is made easier by strengthening the specific muscles that the machine of this invention helps to strengthen. State of art exercise machines often mention on the machine the name of the muscles that will be strengthened by the machine or sometimes they have a picture of those muscles in a picture of a body. The user of an exercise machine will be able to relate much easier to a picture of the everyday task that will be enhanced by using the machine. It will give the user a greater incentive to work diligently at the said exercises.

One of the everyday tasks that is associated with this invention is entering and exiting from a car.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain, by way of example only, the principles of the invention:

Fig A is a side sectional diagram of the essential parts of the exercise machine of this invention.

Fig B is a front sectional diagram of the essential parts of the exercise machine of this invention.

Fig C is a top sectional diagram of the essential parts of the exercise machine of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As will be appreciated the present invention is capable of other and different embodiments than those discussed above and described in more detail below, and its several details are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the embodiments set forth below are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Fig A shows the side view of this invention. The machine can be referred to as a rowing exerciser 100. The user sits on the upholstered seat 102 and rests his back on the upholstered inclined backrest 104. The optimal angle between the seat 102 and the backrest 104 is 130°. The optimal angle for the backrest 104 is 35° from the horizontal. To aid himself into that position, the user may use the static angled stabilizing handles 106 placed on either side of the said seat.

The user will then reach for the handles 108 which consist of a number of levels of grips 110. The user can select the level which is comfortable for him to reach, given his height as he lies on the inclined seat 102 and 104. He will first choose the degree of resistance as is described below and the pull the handles 108 towards his chest. This will have the effect of lifting the selected weights 118 in the weight housing 116. The arm 112 is pivotally attached to the frame of the rowing exerciser 100 at the bearing 114. The connection between the inclined arm 112 to which the handles 108 are connected at one end thereof and the weights 118 is a cable 120. The cable 120 follows the path of the intermittent line, being aided by pulleys 126 to turn direction. The cable 120 can be, alternatively, a belt or a chain.

The user can adjust the degree of resistance that will have to be overcome to pull the handles 108 towards his chest. The resistance is usually adjusted conveniently using weights as is well known in the art. The weights 118 are housed in the weight housing 116 and are stacked vertically. The cable 120 joining the arm 112 to the bored pin-rod 122 passes over pulleys 126 to facilitate changes of direction and to minimize friction. The bored pin-rod 122 has at least one hole corresponding to the number of weights 118. The weights 118 each have a hole in them passing horizontally from front to back. The pin 124 is inserted through a certain weight 118 and into one of the holes in the bored pin-rod 122. When the user pulls on handles 108 the connecting cable 120 will cause the weights 118 to rise. The amount of weights 118 to rise is the one with the pin 124 through it and any weights above it. The lower the pin 124 is placed in the stack of weights 118, the more weights 118 will be lifted and hence the greater the resistance on the user's arms and chest as he pulls on the handles 108.

Fig B is the front view of the rowing exerciser 100. The seat support bar 150 supports the seat 102 and its angled backrest 104. The angled static steadying handles 106 are positioned either side of the seat 102. They are at a height convenient for a person to hold and steady himself while initially positioning himself and while exiting from the rowing exerciser 100. The steadying handles 106 can also be used to steady and stabilize the user when he wishes to exercise using one hand only, which is possible as the two ends of arm 112 are one piece of tubing or could be two pieces joined in the housing 152. In this case he may wish to hold onto the steadying handle 106 with his free hand and swap so that the previous exercising hand holds the steadying handle 106 and the previous static hand holds one of the handles 108 to exercise.

The three heights of grips 110 can be clearly seen in Fig B. The material 154 joining the grips 110 to the arm 112 is strong flexible material, enabling the hands pulling on the handles 108 to twist a little or otherwise move freely without putting a strain on the wrists of the user.

The weight housing 116 is seen from its closed side. The open side faces the exerciser as was described in Fig A.

Fig C shows the rowing exerciser 100 from the top view. The parts visible in this figure are the seat 102, backrest 104, steadying handles 106, arm 112 with the exercising handles 108 attached thereto. Weight housing 116 is situated along side the seat 102 to facilitate adjusting the position of the weights pin Fig A 124. 

What is claimed:
 1. An exercise machine comprising a frame, a seat at an incline, a back-rest at an incline, at least one handle to hold and pull towards the exerciser, a means to apply resistance to the said handles, at least one handle for the user to hold for the purpose of stabilization, whereby people generally and especially the elderly, infirm and females can exercise their back muscles and biceps in a rowing movement and with a chosen degree of resistance.
 2. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said seat is placed at an angle of 130° from the said backrest.
 3. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said seat is placed at an angle of 130°±3° from the said backrest
 4. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said backrest is placed at an angle of 35° from the base of the said frame.
 5. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said backrest is placed at an angle of 35°±3° from the base of the said frame
 6. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said resistance is created by using a stack of weights attached by means of a cable and pulleys to the weight bearing arm and the said handles.
 7. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 6 where the extent of the resistance is chosen by means of inserting a pin in a horizontal hole passing through the width of a chosen weight and into a bored pin-rod that is attached to the said cable whereby that weight and all the weights above it are lifted by the said cable when the said handles are pulled.
 8. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an adjustable neck-rest on the said back-rest.
 9. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a counter-weight to neutralize the weight of the weight bearing arms.
 10. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a choice of at least two levels of grip to hold the weight resistance handles.
 11. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least three wheels for transporting the machine where at least one wheel mechanism lifts the said exercise machine off the ground causing the weight of the said exercising machine to rest on the said wheel and of which at least one wheel is lockable thereby enabling the said exercise machine to rest firmly on the ground or optionally, be moved on the said wheels.
 12. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the access to the said exercise machine is open and uncluttered thereby easing the entry to and exit from the said exercising machine by the elderly or infirm and easing the work of a helper of the said elderly or infirm user.
 13. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said stabilization is during entry to and exit from the said exercising machine as well as during the action of exercising.
 14. An exercise machine comprising a seat at an incline, a back-rest at an incline, at least one handle to hold and pull towards the exerciser, a means to apply resistance to the said handles, at least one handle for the user to hold for the purpose of stabilization, instructions for use of the said exercising machine, at least one picture of an everyday task that is enhanced by the use of the said exercising machine, whereby people generally and especially the elderly, infirm and females can exercise their back muscles and biceps in a rowing movement and with a chosen degree of resistance.
 15. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein the said seat is placed at an angle of 130° from the said backrest.
 16. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein the said backrest is placed at an angle of 35° from the base of the said frame.
 17. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein the said resistance is created by using a stack of weights attached by means of a cable and pulleys to the said pulling handles.
 18. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein the access to the said exercise machine is open and uncluttered thereby easing the entry to and exit from the said exercising machine by the elderly or infirm and easing the work of a helper of the said elderly or infirm user.
 19. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein the said stabilization is during entry to and exit from the said exercising machine as well as during the action of exercising.
 20. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein the said instructions are in large clear print well contrasted with the background of the said print being visible and readable by the user of the said exercise machine from the position of the user when ready to exercise.
 21. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein the said picture of an everyday task is on the body of the said exercise machine in a position easily visible and designed to be easily understandable which task is being represented.
 22. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 21 wherein the said everyday task is entering and leaving a car.
 23. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said cable is substituted by a belt or chain. 